Christmas time, mistletoe and wine…there’s a lot going on in Bristol this month

So, it’s December and we are now into all things Christmas. I waited until the weekend before giving in but now have my Christmas tree up and have full stocked my cupboards with mince pies and mulled wine (the autumn fitness plan is well and truly out of the window for the next month!)

This year there are so many Christmas events going on in Bristol it’s just impossible not to get into the festive spirit. We mentioned the Broadmead market a few of weeks back but this year we’ll see a whole mile of markets which will stretch from the harbourside all the way to the city centre’s shopping quarter. Whatever sort of gift you are looking for you are bound to find it here with stalls offering all manner of themes and of course local artists, craftspeople and produce too.

For something a little bit different keep your eyes open for the illuminated boat parade along the harbour, hop aboard one of the Bristol Insight buses for a twilight tour of the city and its best Christmas lights or pop over to the wonderful Westonbirt Arboretum for an enchanted evening of illuminations. Something for everybody and nice to see parts of the city in a different light.

Feeling traditional? Make sure you catch one of the city’s beautiful, candlelit carol services. Look out for those at Bristol Cathedral, St Mary Redcliffe and John Wesley’s Chapel, The New Room in particular. Arnos Vale Cemetery are holding a concert this coming weekend with the Bristol Chamber Choir which looks set to be just fantastic. Set in within the Victorian chapel, tickets are £6.50 and the musical medley will run from 5.00pm – 7.00pm.

And we can of course not forget our wonderful Christmas pantomimes!! The Hippodrome are showing Cinderella this year which will star none other than skating legends Torvill and Dean. The Tobacco Factory Theatre will be offering an alternative take on the same classic story too with Cinderella: A Fairytale and the Bristol Old Vic has adapted a Hans Christian Andersen novel into “The Snow Queen” which looks sure to be a winning performance to end a year of 250th anniversary celebrations for the theatre.

Lots to do and only a couple of weeks to go…forget about the to do list and make sure you don’t miss out!